Born at Owen Sound, Ontario on 2 June 1877, son of Jacob and Jane Johnston, he was educated at the public schools of Wiarton. After graduation from high school at the age of 20, he came to Manitoba where he assisted his father in the hotel business. Three years later, he moved to Brandon where he worked for three years as a cashier in a private bank belonging to D. A. Hopper. He then worked for two years as a ledger keeper for the Bank of Hamilton, then a year as bookkeeper for the dry good firm of Nation & Shewan, the largest of its kind in Brandon, and employer of some 100 people. He rose to become Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. On 17 June 1908, he married Eva Moody of Ridgetown, Ontario. They had two children: Elizabeth A. Johnston and Edmond R. Johnston. The family resided at 454 Eighth Street. He was a member of the Brandon Football Club, and St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church.